Matthew 25:26 - Exposition

Thou wicked and slothful servant. In marked contrast with the commendation, "good and faithful," its Matthew 25:21 , Matthew 25:23 . He was "wicked," in that he calumniated his master, who really seems to have been ready to acknowledge the least service done to him, and never looked for results beyond a man's ability and opportunities; and he was "slothful," in that he made no effort to improve the one talent entrusted to him. Thou knewest ( ἠ ì δεις ), etc. Out of his own mouth he judges him ( Luke 19:22 ). He repeats the slave's words, in which he expressed his notion of his lord's character and practice, and deduces therefrom the inconsistency of his action, without deigning to defend himself from the calumny, except, perhaps, by the use of ἠ ì δεις , which gives a hypothetical notion to the assumed knowledge. "You knew, you say." Some editors place a mark of interrogation at the end of the clause, which seems unnecessary.